Month: April 2010

University of Guelph students voted in favour of supporting an increase to the cost of the University of Guelph transit pass (U-pass) as a result of a month long referendum process. A total of 5,000 students participated in the decision with 90% voting in support of the cost increase.

The University of Guelph U-Pass Program has been in place since 1994. The proposal to increase the cost of the pass came about as a result of budgetary pressures faced by the City. Changes to the U-pass are necessary to keep pace with the cost of running the transit system.

“We are very pleased with the results of the students’ collective decision to support the Universal Pass. The change in pricing more accurately reflects the cost of providing bus services to the University of Guelph and works to further balance the contribution of the taxpayers for transit services.” said Ann Pappert, Director Community Services, City of Guelph.

Since late 2009, representatives from the Central Student Association (CSA), Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), University administration and Guelph Transit have worked together to revise program pricing and conditions that provide benefits to all the parties involved.

The new U-pass price will be $82.15 for the Spring/Fall 2010 semester, $84.15 for the Winter 2011 semester and $86.15 for the Spring/Fall 2011 and Winter 2012 semester.

“The University is pleased that the students and the City will be continuing with the Universal Bus Pass,” said Brenda Whiteside, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs at the University of Guelph. “This partnership allows Guelph Transit to remain accessible for our students, enabling them to choose living arrangements throughout the city, and taking advantage of an environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.”

University students represent a significant portion of the transit system’s total ridership. A ridership survey suggested approximately half of the university’s 20,000 students rely on Guelph Transit to get around the city.

“Students were asked to come to the table to continue our invaluable partnership with Guelph Transit. We answered that call and resoundingly said yes, we see the value in supporting the price increase to ensure that everyone keeps benefiting,” commented Galen Fick, Local Affairs Commissioner, Central Student Association. “Students will continue to be environmental stewards and have universal support and access to one of the best transit systems around. The City of Guelph can rest easy, knowing that due process has been followed and the price that students pay reflects the cost of providing the service.”

“Both graduate and undergraduate students have come forward to voice their strong support for the continuation of the U-Pass. Maintaining the U-Pass has ensured that every students’ accessibility needs will be met,” commented Jacqueline de Guzman, V.P. Finance, Graduate Students’ Association. “The partnership between students and Guelph Transit will only continue to grow and strengthen in the forthcoming years.”

In a spirit of co-operation, Guelph Transit continues to work closely with the student associations to develop a more detailed database to monitor ridership and service costs as a basis for future discussions.

Winter control(Roads)shifts, days, nights and afternoons ceased over the Easter longhave changed from a three shiftrotationschedule to a two shift schedule, days and afternoons, startingyesterday,Monday April5. Winter Controlstaffing hasalsobeen downsized in recent weekswithsomestaff returning to their normallyassignedsummerwork areas ofDrainageOperations,Signs and Traffic maintenanceandBoulevard maintenance, with the remainingroadsstaff carrying out the spring road cleanup program.

With the recent favourable weather, the spring road cleanup is already well underway. Two,OperationsRoadSweeper Units are on the roads currentlyconcentrating on arterial and collector roads. Staff is nearing completion of the curb faced sidewalk and traffic island sweeping throughout the city. Thebulkresidentialsweeping activity will begin on Monday April 12, 2010with the aid of a third party contractor.The contractor will provide an additional six road sweeper units and 3 road flushersto assist with thebulk cleanup. The contractorbeing utilized for this work for the second year in a row is,A&G The Road Cleaners out of Bolton.

The spring road sweeping program will run Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 11;00pm. The Contractor will work 8:00am to6:00pm. A map showing daily progress will be posted in the RoadsRoom in Operations. A completion date of April 23 is targeted.